Structural, magnetic and high frequency (1–6 GHz) parameters of Sr-substituted BaFe2O4 monoferrites synthesized by sol–gel method

Abstract

In this work, Sr-substituted samples of single-phase spinel monoferrites with chemical formula [Formula: see text] (x = 0.00, 0.33, 0.67, 1.00) were synthesized using sol–gel auto-combustion method. In order to confirm the single-phase formation of these samples, a sample (x = 0.00) was chosen for heat treatment at different temperatures (100, 300, 400, 600 and [Formula: see text]) for 4 h. The heat treated sample was then investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and results showed that a single-phase sample can be successfully synthesized at a temperature of [Formula: see text], which is much lower than that reported in earlier literature for synthesis of same structured samples. All the synthesized samples were then sintered at [Formula: see text] for 4 h to achieve better crystallinity. From XRD patterns, lattice parameters, cell volume and XRD density as a function of Sr-substitution were calculated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the grain size increased as the temperature was increased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results confirmed the single-phase spinel monoferrites at [Formula: see text]. From M–H loops (x = 0.0, 0.33, 0.67 and 1.00), different magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization [Formula: see text], remanance [Formula: see text], coercivity [Formula: see text] and magnetic moment [Formula: see text] were calculated. Magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant and Y–K angles of Sr-doped Ba monoferrites were also calculated. In addition, the variation of different dielectric parameters (real permittivity, imaginary permittivity, real permeability, imaginary permeability, ac conductivity and loss tangent) as a function of frequency (1–6 GHz) has been discussed in this work. The results suggest that the synthesized materials have many advantages over previously reported single-phase spinel monoferrites.